The phase of compensation of damages caused to livestock as a result of floods in the south of the country was successfully completed following a process that lasted many months. Prime Minister Edi Rama and Minister of Agriculture Edmond Panariti returned today in areas of Levan, Fier, affected by flooding, to hand over 680 heads of flocks in order to replace lost livestock. This was a contribution of the company Philip Morris, which joined the social solidarity showed by business.
The government promised to the residents of these areas to compensate damages in household appliances, in farming and greenhouses. Minister Panariti said the government is fulfilling the promise to compensate damages to livestock and, support by the USAID, the reconstruction of damaged greenhouses is going on.
“We succeeded to compensate the damages caused by floods in farming and poultry. In addition, we are building greenhouses in the areas damaged by flooding. With a fund made available by USAID, we will start soon the construction of greenhouses with an even more advanced technology. So, not only succeeded to compensate damages caused by floods in a short time, but we are determined to increase the number of greenhouses”- Minister Panariti said.
Prime Minister Rama returned to the flooded areas not only to keep the promise to eventually compensate the flood damage, but also to show the philosophy of being close to citizens not only during hard times.
“I believe it is worth recalling that when the flooding occurred, I underlined that we will continue to be here when the sun come out, because we are committed to compensate one by one every damage to farmers. This was a process that took its time, but I am very proud because we conclude this process on this sunny day, by thoroughly compensating damages.
What is most important to note is that we have proved to be close to people not when all the cameras are on in order to be on TV and when the attention is directed towards them because of a disaster, which was natural in this case, but we are close to people even when cameras’ attention is directed elsewhere. Meanwhile, our attention is totally focused to fulfill every commitment. This is, I believe, meaningful evidence of a government that serves the people and on the other hand, a country that is moving in the right direction, facing difficulties, facing an extremely heavy legacy of a recent past, and facing challenges that without any doubt we will win together and we will succeed to make a reality of our daily life everywhere the desire for renaissance to which we committed.
We have never said that we have a magic wand that could transform the country into paradise, but we have said that we are committed, and we will succeed, to transform Albania in place where everyone can live with dignity and where we, the government and institutions guarantee equal opportunities to everyone and to be near anyone whose equality is threatened, whether due to natural disasters or because of other shortcomings that we face every day”- the Prime Minister said.
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The contribution of entrepreneurship to support families affected by the floods is going on. Some 100 families of this area were delivered today electric home appliances, such as refrigerators, washing machines, stoves, mattresses, blankets and clothing. Prime Minister Rama returned today in one of the main points for the storage of aid for families that were flooded last February.
Luan Bregasi, President of the Association “Business Albania” said the contribution of business will continue. Bregasi announced several other initiatives of the enterprise. “I would like to inform you that 350 families received today from an Albanian bank a check with 200 thousand Albanian Lek, as social assistance following some concerns of several months ago in the area of Fier. We have a joint project with the State Social Service for families who need basic aid, which in extraordinary solidarity will be provided to them by the business”- Bregasi said.
“The government has been of great help. We have been flooded many times in the past, but we have never received such aid, as this time”- a family member said.
The prime minister thanked entrepreneurship for their solidarity for successfully completing this process. In addition he promised once again that the time when the government appeared by the side of the citizen only on the days of the disaster is over.
